dangled from her hair, down the part in the middle of her head.
Black makeup outlined her large blue eyes, made all the more
noticeable by a dark red stripe that stretched from temple to temple,
encircled both eyes and crossed over the bridge of her nose. The red
matched the color on her lips.
Turning, she looked to the mating bed that had been prepared in the
center of the room. The Chalice never chose poorly or with cruel
intentions. It was neutral and often its choice led to happiness for both
parties. At least, it gave a happy start. What the two people did with the
mating given them was up to the couple and there had been those who
ruined a good thing.
8
Talons: Seize the Hunter
Unlike the peasants who could draw a circle in dirt to form the
mating circle, her bed was that of a princess. It was high up on a raised
platform, so high she couldn’t see the top of it from her place on the
floor. Above it, the water wall curved with the true ceiling, giving her a
reflection of thick gold and red pillows encircling the edges and an
abundance of silk to lie upon. Sweet herbs were scattered on the floor
around it. So strong was the ancient spell, no one could cross the herbs
and reach the bed. Only the Chalice’s magic could break through the
boundary, carrying her and her husband inside. She knew that even if
she were inside, none could see her. All they would see was the view she
saw now…a reflection of an empty bed.
Inside the herbal circle, it would be as dark as deep space. The
magical boundary around the edge would keep them from falling as she
and her mate consummated what was to be. Whether they shared names
before was up to them. Some married couples did, others didn’t. Ari had
decided to let the male’s actions guide hers. Clearly, since it was her
marriage ceremony, he would know who she was.
“Princess?” Vara, her best friend and head attendant spoke quietly,
signifying that they were done and it was time.
In all there were ten attendants, all daughters from noble families.
Vara was a cousin, as was her younger sister Petra. Should Ari die, Vara
would take the throne. Some thought Ari foolish for keeping Vara as a
close and trusted friend, but she wasn’t scared. Vara would never hurt
her. Their bond was too close for that. Besides, Ari knew Vara’s deepest
secret. She longed to be in the armies, flying into battle. Politics were too
tame for her. Someday, Ari hoped to give Vara a chance at her dream,
though she hadn’t told her cousin as much.
Petra was just a child—the youngest attendant honored because she
was family. Maura, Aurelie, Thora, and Lena came from the different
9
Michelle M Pillow
providences around the queendom. She knew them from childhood and
thought well enough of them to honor them.
Lucia, Adria, Jael and Clarinda were all from a neighboring castle.
Their dark skin was a beautiful brown, enhanced by the beauty of their
big, round, brown and green eyes. Their father, Lord Viceious, was
Supreme General to all the armies and a man Ari had dealt with on
many occasions. Their being honored as attendants was merely politics.
She had no close connection to the four girls.
The women had been unusually quiet, as was tradition, giving her
time to contemplate whatever it was she should have been contemplating
on this day. Unfortunately, Commander Rurik was the thing that kept
popping into her head. She knew it was because she’d heard his name
that morning, whispered in girlish excitement. A maid had seen him
arrive with his men, swooping down from the skies to land within the
palace walls.
“I am ready,” Ari stated, lifting her chin. With a small wave, she
parted the liquid along the water wall, creating an archway. “Join the
others in the hall. Vara will walk with me.”
The attendants rushed from the room through the new door, leaving
Ari alone with Vara.
“You’re distracted.” Vara threaded her arm through Ari’s. Her cousin
was a slender woman, but had the skill of the best warriors when it came
to using a talon glove. With it, she could be deadly. Looks really were
deceiving. Vara’s purple gaze, wavy brown hair and dark brown
complexion were the envy of many women.
“Yea.” Ari nodded. “Rurik is here.”
“Ah, I remember him. He’s the one you gave a blood oath to avenge
yourself against.” Vara gave a small laugh. “Is that what you’re doing on
your Mating Day? You’re plotting revenge for childish hurts?”
10
Talons: Seize the Hunter
“Childish?” Ari gasped. “You call wanting a little vengeance for being
knocked off a platform into a bed of dung in my coronation dress on the